Aitutaki in the Cook Islands is bracing for the impact of Cyclone Nancy early tomorrow morning with wind gusts forecast to reach up to 270 kilometres an hour.
The Fiji Met Service is forecasting Aitutaki, Atiu, Mitiaro, Mauke and Manuae will feel the full force of the storm with very destructive hurricane force winds, while Rarotonga and Mangaia can expect similar conditions from later tomorrow morning.
The Assistant chairman of Disaster Management on Aitutaki, Sargeant Tangaroa Vaikaiki, says they have set up eight emergency centres tonight and are advising people to take every care.
"Just stay indoors, until the hurricane is gone. If you think your house is going to be blown away, its time to ring up the hurricane centre, so you can be moved to the safety centres."
The Assistant chairman of Disaster Management on Aitutaki, Sargeant Tangaroa Vaikaiki
Meanwhile Nancy is already causing significant damage on the eastern side of
Aitutaki..
Moments ago the local co-ordinator at the hurricane centre on the atoll, Maki To'o said a number of trees have been blown over in winds of around 100 kilometres an hour.
the current situation here on Aitutaki doesn't look good at all. Especially at this very moment, it doesn't look. The wind is coming sltrong and we are having heavy rain.